Expressing shock at how a pitch unsuitable for an international match was prepared for the fifth and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka at Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi, former cricketers on Sunday demanded strong action against Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
The ex-India players said DDCA should be pulled up for the pitch fiasco after the fifth One-dayer was abandoned due to unfit playing conditions after 23.3 overs with Sri Lanka at 83 for five.
Former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi squarely blamed the DDCA for the pitch fiasco.
"DDCA had made a mess out of the pitch and they should own up the responsibility. I wondered how a pitch which was not used even for Ranji Trophy matches was used for the One-dayer," Bedi said.
"Action should be taken against them (DDCA) but that is BCCI's job," he said.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar held the BCCI Pitch Committee responsible for the incident and asked the Cricket Board to take quick action.
"It is a shameful incident that this kind of pitch was prepared for an international match. BCCI Pitch Committee must be held responsible and DDCA have to answer a lot of questions. BCCI should act promptly," he said.
"Some deliveries were rearing up even from the good length, which is not good for cricket. DDCA must refund the entire money to the spectators who came to watch good cricket," he added.
Former India batsman Abbas Ali Baig feels that Delhi's future as an international venue will be at stake after Sunday's fiasco.
"It is an extremely sad and disappointing thing to have happened. The DDCA should have ensured that the pitch was well prepared to host an international match. I feel Delhi's future as an international venue is at stake. There is no excuse for preparing such a pitch," he said.
Demanding strong action against DDCA, ex-India stumper Kiran More said the incident has brought a bad name to the country.
"Strong action should be taken against DDCA and an explanation sought from the curator. It has brought a bad name to India," he said.
Former BCCI Pitch Committee chief Venkat Sundaram said DDCA should have staged some matches on the strip before holding the One-dayer.
"They (DDCA) should have staged some cricket match on this pitch because the more you play on it, the more the pitch settles down.
"If you would have played two-three matches, especially Ranji Trophy matches, they would have analysed the pitch and rectified the drawbacks."
Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja gave a completely different view.
"I am a little surprised that the match was abandoned. I don't think the pitch was that bad so as to warrant an abandonment of the match," he said.
"You could have decided to abandon the match after five overs or so, that is logical. But after playing 23 overs how can you say that the pitch was not fit to play on," he added.
Former Test batsman Chandu Borde wondered why no domestic match was played on the newly laid turf to assess the nature of the track.
"This is unfortunate to abandon an international match due to a poor wicket. Such wickets are harmful to players. Before playing on a newly laid wicket some domestic matches should be played on it so that defects, if any, can be rectified," Borde said from Pune.
"Before the match, the experts like the match referee and match observer must have had a look at this wicket. How did they certify it to be playable?," he asked.
